Hey guys. I have a 94 xlt 4x4 long box with a 5.0. I want headers and cat-free exhaust. I know I'll have some work to do but anyone know of some good bang for your buck headers and 3" exhaust? I'd like an X pipe perhaps. But any advice on some less expensive tuning or programmers or just simple bolt ons, let me know. Thanks.

 

The usual suspects on headers, Hooker, Headman, etc long tube over short tube. Ceramic to control under hood heat. Do you have custom exhaust places around you? those are generally cheaper and better than the commercial stuff. Dual are a problem on the 4X4 or so I hear. If the 3" was single, that would eliminate some problems. Dual 3" is way overkill anyhow. I had a cammed up 429 in a '79 with long tube headers & dual 2 1/4" and if flowed just fine, made around 600 hp for a 10:1 power to weight ratio.

 

Long tubes are definitely difficult to do on a 4x4, almost impossible with a manual transmission.

Best bet is Bassani equal length shorty headers with a Bassani off road y pipe. After that it is up to you on where you want it to dump and how loud you want it to be. You are already in for about $800 just for the headers and Y pipe.

I ended up skipping the headers and took it to a local guy I trust. He charged me 1k to replace everything from the manifolds back, installed. Everything 409 stainless. At some point I will buy some ceramic coated shorties and throw them on myself. Sounds great, not too annoyingly loud, nice throttle response boost at higher rpms when paired with a good K&N cone filter intake.

 

Thanks for the advice. How about tuning or a programmer? Got any specific's on either of those ideas? I'm not looking for a 500-600 hp beast but to get in the ballpark of 300-350 would be fun for me. I want it to be a street truck with some ***** ya know? Anything is better than nothing in this case. Thanks in advance to any responses.